Naima Simone's Blog

Southern Magic brings a special holiday giveaway once more
21 awesome romance books,
swag, and 2 gift cards by 15 of its talented authors

Get ready for some of the best romance around
From New Adult to Historical to Erotic
There's a little bit for everyone!
One lucky winner will be selected at random
Get ready to swoon the month of December away
Don't delay, enter now!
Or the bustle of the holidays will get in the way
Here are the wonderful prizes from the authors participating in this special giveaway
Visit the websites below to learn more:Betty Bolte("Emily's Vow" and "Amy's Choice" Paperback)Katherine Bone("The Rogue's Prize" Paperback)Nancee Cain($25 Gift Card)Louisa Cornell("Christmas Revels" eBook + $15 Gift Card)Jamie Farrell("The Husband Games" Paperback)Larynn Ford("Dreams Do Come True" eBook)Christine Glover("The Maverick's Red Hot Reunion" Paperback)Callie James("Innocent" and "Student Bodyguard for Hire" Paperback)Suzanne Johnson("Royal Street" Paperback)Susannah Sandlin("Redemption" and "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" Paperback)Ingrid Seymour("The Guys Are Props Club" Paperback)Naima Simone("Secrets and Sins: Raphael" and "Secrets and Sins: Chayot" Paperback)Carla Swafford("Circle of Deception" Paperback)Peggy Webb("The Language of Silence" Paperback)Meda White("Winter Formal", "Fall Rush", "Spring Fling" and "Christmas Give" Paperback)
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

So, I'm trying to blog more because I recently received some advice about conquering what you're scared of but want with a passion. So being more dedicated about blogging is one of those steps. Buuut, I ain't gonna lie. My posts probably won't be really long or deep but more just random stuff that pops into this slightly neurotic, a lot crazy head. Fair warning... :-)

First up! Aliyah Burke tagged me for this WIP (Work in Progress) challenge of Facebook. I know. I should've posted this on FB, but I'm cheating. Sue me! So it's called the 7x7x7 challenge. I have to go to page 7 of my current WIP, then go to line 7, post 7 lines as is. These lines are from the book I'm neck-deep in now that's due at the end of the month and I have no title for yet. Scene takes place at a bachelor auction...since it's a Bachelor Auction novel. My heroine, Khloe, has arrived with her best friend to find--buy--Khloe a date so she can use him to get her man! Here goes!

***Trouble was, she didn’t have a great résumé where men were concerned.  One had stolen a project idea from her, received a promotion as a result of her hard work then took off for a new European office, breaking up with her via a PM on Facebook. The other? Well, the other had stolen her virginity and her heart...Anyway, Bennett--with his genteel, warm manner, brilliance, and kindness--was her chance at a life filled with love, companionship, and stability. He wouldn't abandon her, leaving her confused and hurting.  And he definitely wouldn't break up with her on social media. ***That was eight lines...Hee-hee! Aaaand...There's a new book in the Last Chance Rescue series by Christy Reece! RUNNING ON EMPTY!! Aaaaarrrggghhh!! I can't contain myself! Can you tell? LOL!! Here's the blurb!

The Danger has begun...

Having survived a brutal childhood, Sabrina Fox believed she could handle anything. That was before she watched the love of her life die before her very eyes. Brokenhearted, her emotions on lockdown, she finds purpose and hope as an LCR Elite Operative rescuing victims from some of the most volatile places in the world.

Covert ops agent Declan Steele is used to a life of danger and deceit, but when the one person he trusted and believed in above all others sets him up, he’ll stop at nothing to make her pay. Finally rescued from his hellish prison, Declan has one priority—hunt down Sabrina Fox and exact his revenge.

Trusting no one is a lonely, perilous path. Sabrina swears she’s innocent and Declan must make a decision--trust his heart or his head. As memories of their life together returns, he realizes just how treacherous his torture had been and the target of his revenge shifts. But when Sabrina is taken, retribution is the last thing on his mind. With the assistance of Last Chance Rescue Elite, Declan races to rescue the only woman he has ever loved before it’s too late.  
I can't wait to get my greedy little paws on it!! You can buy here!

Y'all have a won-der-ful Hump Day!!

I’m delighted to be joining a group of wonderful writers in the “Meet My Character Blog Tour”, where we tell readers about our super cool heroes and heroines. In my humble opinion, that is. J Today, I’m going to introduce my brooding, aloof and wounded hero, Chayot Grey from my most recent release, SECRETS AND SINS: CHAYOT, book 4 in the Secrets and Sins series available from Entangled Publishing on August 4th. A security specialist with a dark past, equally dark secrets but a desperate need to be loved—even if he doesn’t realize it.  
First off, let me give a rousing and boisterous thank you to the faaaabulous Stacy Reid for inviting me to join in on the fun! Have you read Stacy’s books? *gasp* Why the &%$#@!% not? You have no idea what you’re missing. She’s my newest must-buy-I-don’t-even-have-to-read-the-blurb author. Here’s her bio:
I am an avid reader of novels with a deep passion for writing. I especially love romance and adore writing about people falling in love. I live a lot in the worlds I create and actively speak to my characters (out loud). I have a warrior way, never give up on my dreams. When I am not writing, I spend a copious amount of time drooling over Rick Grimes from Walking Dead, watching Japanese anime and playing video games with my love, Dusean.Stacy’s most recent release is THE IRRESISTABE MISS PEPPIWELL, Book 2 in her House of Calydon series, a sizzling historical romance series, is now available from Entangled Publishing. You can read an excerpt here!  You may find out more about Stacy on her website!
Meet My Character…
Chayot Grey is co-owner of Liberty Security Services, a very successful Boston based security firm. In the last few months, his life has been shaken, his valued privacy rendered non-existent as his life and those of his three best friends—men he considers brothers—have become fodder for the media. A secret the four men had protected for twenty years was exposed months ago, and Chay is silently reeling from the fall-out. His one joy has been witnessing Gabe, Mal, and Rafe find the women who are their other halves, and fall in love with them. It alleviates the guilt he suffers even as he acknowledges, the kind of happiness his friends have experienced isn’t for him. His secrets are too dark, his past too haunted—his soul too tainted.The backdrop for the story:

The story takes place in current day Boston, Massachusetts. Chay and Rafe’s office is located in Beacon Hill, while he lives in the quiet, upscale suburb of Canton. What drives Chay?

After the turmoil and pain of his childhood and the glaring, unrelenting exposure of the last few months, he seeks peace, solitude, anonymity. To be left alone. One of the fallouts of his secret and past coming to light is court-mandated counseling sessions. These sessions are a special kind of torture for him, as he has to relive what he’d rather forget—which he craves. Oblivion and forgetfulness. There’s a certain peace in numbness. What thwarts his plans?

His fiery, stubborn, uncensored and sexy neighbor of three months—Aslyn Jericho. He’s been a fan of the dynamic concert pianist for years. So he is aware of the attack made on her life by an obsessed fan months ago. She’s suffered and is wounded herself, but her will, her spirit, her passion challenges him, hammers at the shield of ice he’s erected around his heart. And when the terror she’s survived seems to resurface with terrifying incident after incident, he cannot keep his distance—or his heart.
Here's where you meet the authors I hit up to keep this blog going... *crickets* See, what had happened was the people I asked were all like, I'd love to but... Sooo, I'm short my authors, but still hunting so check back here! Anyhoo, hoped you enjoyed meeting Chay! 
 

Merry Christmas!!

Southern Magic is playing Santa this year to one reader who has been nice--or very, very naughty! *lascivious grin* Many of the wonderfully talented authors of Southern Magic are giving away a huge 36 books to one winner! How about that in your Christmas stocking?

Romance novels by many of today's brightest and best authors that range from New Adult to historical to paranormal to erotic romance! Something to satisfy every reader's desire!

From November 25th through December 16th, anyone can enter, and one reader on Santa's list will be randomly selected as a winner. Each author will mail her gifts separately so the winner will receive numerous packages--either by snail mail or electronically--throughout the Christmas season, but in time to cozy up with awesome books for the holiday! Books and maybe--just maybe--other goodies! Who knows what might turn up under your tree?

So go! Enter now through the Rafflecopter below!

Here are the authors participating in this special Christmas Giveaway!

Bette Bolte
Carla Swafford
Christy Reece
Debbie Kaufman
Ingrid Seymour
Jamie Farrell
Jillian Chantal
Julie Johnstone
Katherine Bone
Kerry Freeman
Naima Simone
Paula Graves
Rashda Khan
Susan Carlisle
Suzanne Johnson

Merry Christmas!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out these gaw-geous covers for the Ignite October releases!! You can join the Ignite Cover Reveal and have a chance to win a $15 Amazon or B&N Gift Card! Just share the covers on your Facebook page from my page, and then enter the Rafflecopter below!

Soooo....

1. Ogle the covers below.

2. Go to my Facebook page and share my post about the covers.

3. Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win the GIVEAWAY!









In the Arms of a Stranger by Virginia Kelly
To Love and Serve by Caridad Pineiro  
Two Can Play by Dawn Atkins 
Her Rocky Mountain Guardian by Margery Scott 
Leaving Las Vegas by Aleah Barley 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today I'm so psyched to have my fellow Southern Sister of of Steam, Kerry Freeman, visiting me! Yaay! *jazz kick and hands* She and three fab-u-lous authors, Shae Connor, Marguerite Labbe, and Kate McMurray have a HAWT new anthology out from Dreamspinner Press entitled, Playing Ball. Pun totally intended. Kerry's here to tell us about the anthology as well as have some fun! :-D Take it away, Kerry!
* * *Thanks so much to Naima Simone for having me on the blog today - you rock!Today, more and more athletes are coming out, and more are openly supporting them as allies. For a bit of fun, I thought I’d highlight some sexy and out LGBT athletes.

belle-brockhoff.com

Olympic-bound Australian snowboarder Belle Brockhoff recently came out publicly in response to Russia’s awful anti-gay laws. She plans to compete in Sochi next year.
Joshua Dixon/Twitter US gymnast and Olympic hopeful Joshua Dixon came out in 2012. He made the finals for the US team that year, and he hopes to make the team in 2016. jessicaaguilar.com Jessica Aguilar is ranked the #3 pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world and is openly bisexual. Last year she was the Florida Female MMA Fighter of the Year. Noah Salzman/Wikipedia Coming out while playing in Britain earlier this year, Robbie Rogers is the first openly gay man to play in a North American professional league as a winger for the Los Angeles Galaxy. He is currently recovering from a torn hamstring.

Ampatent/Wikipedia Megan Rapinoe helped the US women’s soccer team win gold in 2012. She is currently playing for the Seattle Reign FC. Philip Myers/Wikipedia
Australian diver Matthew Mitcham came out in 2008, the same year he won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. He also competed in 2012, and the world was introduced to his adorable YouTube videos.



If you want to find out about more LGBT athletes, check out Wikipedia’s list here!
***
This was awesome, Kerry! Thanks so much for hijacking the blog today! Now on to the goodies--the book and GIVEAWAY!!


Book info:Title: Playing Ball
Authors: Shae Connor, Kate McMurray, Kerry Freeman, and Marguerite Labbe
Cover: Aaron AndersonPublisher: Dreamspinner Press
Length: 270 pages

Blurb:
Baseball—America's favorite pastime—provides a field wide open for romance. A Home Field Advantage may not help when Toby must choose between the team he’s loved all his life and the man he could love for the rest of it. In 1927, Skip hides his sexuality to protect his career until he meets One Man to Remember. Ruben and Alan fell victim to a Wild Pitch, leaving them struggling with heartache and guilt, and now they've met again. And on One Last Road Trip, Jake retires and leaves baseball behind, hoping to reconnect with Mikko and get a second chance at love. 

The anthology contains the following novellas:

Home Field Advantage by Shae Connor
Toby MacMillan, grandson of Atlanta Braves owner Ray MacMillan, lives for baseball and loves his team. When he meets new team member Caleb Browning, an innocent welcome-to-the-big-leagues dinner leads to a not-so-innocent night together. Toby quickly calls things off, afraid of the ramifications of their tryst, but the two men develop a friendship that soon becomes more. After Caleb takes a fastball to the head, their budding romance hits the news—and Toby’s grandfather hits the roof. When Ray MacMillan demands Toby deny the relationship, Toby must choose between the team he’s loved all his life and the man he could love for the rest of it.
One Man to Remember by Kate McMurray
It's 1927, and in New York City, Babe Ruth and the Yankees’ unstoppable batting lineup, Murderers' Row, is all anyone can talk about. Across town, the Giants' rookie infielder Skip Littlefield racks up hits, creating a streak to rival the Babe’s. Worried his secrets could get out, he avoids the spotlight, but he catches the attention of lauded sports reporter Walter Selby, a notorious dandy whose sexuality is an open secret. Skip reluctantly agrees to an interview, and mutual attraction is sparked. Skip can only hope the more charismatic stars will draw attention away from his romance with Walt. Otherwise, his career and everything he loves is at stake.
Wild Pitch by Marguerite Labbe
Ruben Martell fell in love with Alan Hartner during their years playing baseball. They stepped over the foul line once, but the encounter left them struggling with heartache and guilt, turning away from each other to focus on their families. Now retired from the majors, they run a batting cage together and coach rival Little League teams as they juggle fatherhood and being single again. Though Ruben has never given up hope that Alan might look at him as more than a friend, Alan seems determined to keep things the way they’ve always been. But long-buried feelings and desires have a way of resurfacing, and Ruben can't wait forever.
One Last Road Trip by Kerry Freeman
With the last game of his Major League Baseball career behind him, Jake Wilson hits the road. Years have passed, but he never got over the romance he shared with Mikko Niemi back in college. Finally, he's ready to do something about it. He starts with some crucial visits to his ex-wife in New Mexico, his son in Oklahoma, and his daughter in Tennessee. But his true destination is Mikko's home in Georgia, where he's hoping to get a second chance at love.
Available at:
Dreamspinner I ARe I Amazon

Shae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she works for the government by day and reads and writes about people falling in love by night. Shae writes primarily gay contemporary romance and is published with Dreamspinner Press, MLR Press, and Wilde City Press. Shae is active on Twitter @shaeconnor and posts snippets, updates, and thoughts on writing and editing at her web site, www.shaeconnorwrites.com. You can contact her at [email protected].





Kate McMurray is an unabashed romance fan. Her first published novel, In Hot Pursuit, came out in February 2010, and she’s been writing feverishly ever since. She likes stories that are brainy, funny, and of course sexy, with regular guy characters and urban sensibilities. When she’s not writing, Kate works a nonfiction editor. She’s currently serving as Vice President of Rainbow Romance Writers, the LGBT romance chapter of Romance Writers of America. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with a pesky cat. Visit her at www.katemcmurray.com.



Kerry Freeman was born and raised in Alabama and she grew up swearing she was going to get the hell out of Dodge the instant she could. Turns out Dodge ain’t so bad, and she never left. Alabama’s version of a city girl, she married a country boy, and the couple lives in a small town with their two socially awkward dogs. Kerry loves to write about love, and it turns out most of the voices in her head are men. She also loves to write about the South, so most of her stories end up there, one way or another. You can visit Kerry at http://kerryfreeman.com/

Marguerite Labbe has been accused of being eccentric and a shade neurotic, both of which she freely admits to, but her muse has OCD tendencies, so who can blame her? Marguerite loves to spin tales of stubborn men with smart mouths, working toward a deep and lasting love, no matter what else she throws at them. Visit Marguerite's web site at http://www.margueritelabbe.com.





To celebrate the release of PLAYING BALL, Shae, Marguerite, Kerry, and Kate are giving away two great prizes:

Grand prize: A print copy of PLAYING BALL signed by all four authors, a unisex BBQ apron featuring hot athletes from Originals by Lauren (https://www.etsy.com/shop/Originalsby...), and swag from all four authors.
Runner-up prize: An ebook copy of PLAYING BALL and swag from all four authors.
The giveaway will run from 12AM Central on September 21, 2013 to 12AM Central on October 11, 2013. To give an opportunity for the authors to get together to sign the book and gather swag, the winners will be picked and the prizes shipped after the end of GayRomLit 2013.
Rules:
You must be a resident of Earth, 18 years or older, who lives in a place where the viewing of adult material is legal. By entering the giveaway, you are indicating your agreement to the rules. Winners must provide a physical mailing address to receive their prizes. If a winner does not respond to the prize notification within 48 hours, the prize will be re-awarded. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh Jesus.

If I had the sense God gave agnat, I wouldn’t be approaching this dark house in an isolated section ofDublin, Ireland by myself…at night…armed with nothing but an Ipad and arecorder. Not that a gun or sword—or hell, a freakin’ nuclear bomb—couldprotect me from what waits on the other side of this door. Let’s face it. Ifthe creature I’m here to see is in a bad mood, I’m screwed.

And soooo not in a good way.

One more knock on the door.Just one more, than story or no story, I’m outta here…

Day-aamn.

A petite, slim female withlong, dark hair stands motionless inside her open doorway. Eyes the color ofbrilliant lightning stare at me, unblinking. Measuring. As if determining whichof my body parts she should cleave off first.

Sinéad, the cruxim—the BlackAngel—who hunts  in the territory ofDublin for vampires, the cruxim’s mortal, or rather immortal, enemies.

And the person—using thatterm veeery loosely—I’m here tointerview.

Sinéad: (crossing her arms) Wellaren’t you brave?

Me: Umm…excuse me?

Sinéad: Just showing up here…And assuming I won’t kill you on sight.

Me: Er, uh…wow. I thinkthat’s against the rules…isn’t it? I’m human. You protect me, not slice ‘n diceme.

Sinéad: (shakes her head) Youchroniclers. You totally miss the meaning behind “secret race”. And for therecord, I don’t protect you. I huntand execute vampires who just happen to find you a tasty snack. Let’s face it,if they decided to become vegetarians tomorrow, there would be a surplus incrops and you’d be on your own.

Niiiiice. Iwould respond, but as she shuts the door and turns around, the sight of thescabbard strapped across her back with the hilt of a silver gladius jutting out steals my voice.Nervously, I circle my throat with my hand and heave a silent sigh of relief. Whew. Still intact.

Me: (clearing my throat)Duncan MacLeod has a watcher, you have me.

Sinéad: (snorts) Turn offyour fear, chronicler. The stink of it is offensive. I haven’t killed you…

“Yet” hangsin the room like a string of gaudy Christmas lights in mid-February. Iswallow—hard—and try to summon a smile and hide my fear. Snicker. Riiiight. I’dforgotten the female is an empath as well as a fierce warr—

Me: (gasp) What the hell?

Sinéad: (whirling around in acrouch, her hand reaching behind her head) What? What?

Me: (horrified, pointing tothe table in the living room) Potato chips. Cereal? What the hell? You drink vampire blood not, not…snacks! And what’s that on television? Television? Since when did you startwatching—what is that? Twilight?

Sinéad: (slowly straighteningand grumbling something totally unintelligible) Mimeumingow.

Me: What did you just say?

Sinéad: (whirling around witha snarl) I said, I’m human now. All Ido is sit on the couch, eat and watch television. And cry at those damnHallmark commercials.

Maybe my face says all the WTF racing through my head because shehuffs out a breath and shoves a hand over her head. Another shock. On any otherwoman the gesture would be frustration, but cruxim don’t do frustration.They’re emotionless. They don’t do…anything.

Sinéad: Stop moving yourmouth up and down like a feckingfish. Shite.

Fecking? Shite? Fu—Ohhh. TheIrish accent through me off for a bit… Then the import of all she’s confessedrolls over me like that first wave of 4 am Black Friday shoppers at Walmart.

Me: Good. God. You’re, uh…Imean, what happened?

Sinéad: (sigh) A woundedhippogryph male. Blood. The only kind act I’ve ever done in my life and nowI’m…this. Humans are right. No good deed goes unpunished. Now I’m a damnwalking meat suit.

God. I feelso sorry for her. So sorry I don’t even take offense at being called a “walkingmeat suit”. I probably will be later, but not now.

Me: You should be out hunting. But obviously…

Sinéad: (viciously rubs theheels of her palms over her eyes. I can’t help but wince) All I’ve known forthree hundred years is fighting, killing…blood. Now I’m in an unfamiliar body,with out-of-control emotions and an appetite for flat, deep fried potatoes. I’mso. Damn. Lost.

Me: (whispering) Are youscared?

Sinéad: (drops her arms andstares at me) I’ve never been afraid. Never feared dying. I still don’t. But Iam terrified of every morning when the sun rises and it’s another day in thisskin. Another day when I can feel my soul screaming…

As she trails off anuncomfortable silence fills the room. She’s probably horrified at the displayof emotion, and I… Well I just don’t know what to say. Hallmark doesn’t have acard for “I’m sorry your life just went to hell in gasoline drawers. Thinkingof you!” Yeah. Words are pretty much inadequate. Really there’s only one thingI can give her...

Me: Your secret’s safe withme. I won’t tell anyone.

Sinéad: (her eyes narrowing)A chronicler? Not telling a story?

Me: (shaking my head) Notthis one. It’s yours to tell.

There’s a slight softening onher face that I would have never thought I’d see on one of these Black Angels.

Sinéad: (bows her head) Thankyou then.

Me: No problem. I’m going to,uh, y’know, go. Leave you to your (I do a finger crinkle at her snack buffetand television marathon) whatever.

I turn around to leave, butdamn… I just have to ask. I have to!

Me: One thing. (she arches aneyebrow) Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? (My eyes widen as she slowlyreaches for the sword behind her back) Gotcha. Nunya, right? Nunya bizness.Okay. See you, um, well. Yeah. See you.

I rush out of the room andthe house as quick as my boots can slap the floor. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Ineed a drink.Buy Bitten by Ecstasy here!

Dark Judgment,Book Two

A brutal attackleft Bastien Sarris for dead. But a chance encounter with a mysterious femaledrags him back from the brink of death—and transforms the hippogryph healerinto a monster he doesn’t recognize. Now a terrible hunger consumes him—onethat is becoming impossible to satisfy. Desperate for a cure, he hunts thecruxim who cursed him to a hellish existence. But the petite warrior ignites afierce desire for her body that overwhelms the sweet call of blood.

For three hundredyears Sinéad lived and hunted as a cruxim—a winged vampire hunter. But onesacrificial act stripped her immortality, leaving her human, vulnerable andunprepared for the reappearance of Bastien in her life. The hippogryph isharder and colder than she remembers…and he triggers an onslaught of needwithin her that is as powerful as it is unfamiliar. She craves his kiss, histouch. Yet even as she surrenders to this newfound passion, she faces a crucialdecision—betray the man she’s come to love and regain her immortality save Bastien and condemn herself to a human life anddeath.

Oh Jesus.

If I had the sense God gave a gnat, I wouldn���t be approaching this dark house in an isolated section of Dublin, Ireland by myself���at night���armed with nothing but an Ipad and a recorder. Not that a gun or sword���or hell, a freakin��� nuclear bomb���could protect me from what waits on the other side of this door. Let���s face it. If the creature I���m here to see is in a bad mood, I���m screwed.

And soooo not in a good way.

One more knock on the door. Just one more, than story or no story, I���m outta here���

Day-aamn.

A petite, slim female with long, dark hair stands motionless inside her open doorway. Eyes the color of brilliant lightning stare at me, unblinking. Measuring. As if determining which of my body parts she should cleave off first.

Sin��ad, the cruxim���the Black Angel���who hunts  in the territory of Dublin for vampires, the cruxim���s mortal, or rather immortal, enemies.

And the person���using that term veeery loosely���I���m here to interview.

Sin��ad: (crossing her arms) Well aren���t you brave?

Me: Umm���excuse me?

Sin��ad: Just showing up here��� And assuming I won���t kill you on sight.

Me: Er, uh���wow. I think that���s against the rules���isn���t it? I���m human. You protect me, not slice ���n dice me.

Sin��ad: (shakes her head) You chroniclers. You totally miss the meaning behind ���secret race���. And for the record, I don���t protect you. I hunt and execute vampires who just happen to find you a tasty snack. Let���s face it, if they decided to become vegetarians tomorrow, there would be a surplus in crops and you���d be on your own.

Niiiiice. I would respond, but as she shuts the door and turns around, the sight of the scabbard strapped across her back with the hilt of a silver gladius jutting out steals my voice. Nervously, I circle my throat with my hand and heave a silent sigh of relief. Whew. Still intact.

Me: (clearing my throat) Duncan MacLeod has a watcher, you have me.

Sin��ad: (snorts) Turn off your fear, chronicler. The stink of it is offensive. I haven���t killed you���

���Yet��� hangs in the room like a string of gaudy Christmas lights in mid-February. I swallow���hard���and try to summon a smile and hide my fear. Snicker. Riiiight. I���d forgotten the female is an empath as well as a fierce warr���

Me: (gasp) What the hell?

Sin��ad: (whirling around in a crouch, her hand reaching behind her head) What? What?

Me: (horrified, pointing to the table in the living room) Potato chips. Cereal? What the hell? You drink vampire blood not, not���snacks! And what���s that on television? Television? Since when did you start watching���what is that? Twilight?

Sin��ad: (slowly straightening and grumbling something totally unintelligible) Mimeumingow.

Me: What did you just say?

Sin��ad: (whirling around with a snarl) I said, I���m human now. All I do is sit on the couch, eat and watch television. And cry at those damn Hallmark commercials.

Maybe my face says all the WTF racing through my head because she huffs out a breath and shoves a hand over her head. Another shock. On any other woman the gesture would be frustration, but cruxim don���t do frustration. They���re emotionless. They don���t do���anything.

Sin��ad: Stop moving your mouth up and down like a feckingfish. Shite.

Fecking? Shite? Fu���Ohhh. The Irish accent through me off for a bit��� Then the import of all she���s confessed rolls over me like that first wave of 4 am Black Friday shoppers at Walmart.

Me: Good. God. You���re, uh���I mean, what happened?

Sin��ad: (sigh) A wounded hippogryph male. Blood. The only kind act I���ve ever done in my life and now I���m���this. Humans are right. No good deed goes unpunished. Now I���m a damn walking meat suit.

God. I feel so sorry for her. So sorry I don���t even take offense at being called a ���walking meat suit���. I probably will be later, but not now.

Me: You should be out hunting. But obviously���

Sin��ad: (viciously rubs the heels of her palms over her eyes. I can���t help but wince) All I���ve known for three hundred years is fighting, killing���blood. Now I���m in an unfamiliar body, with out-of-control emotions and an appetite for flat, deep fried potatoes. I���m so. Damn. Lost.

Me: (whispering) Are you scared?

Sin��ad: (drops her arms and stares at me) I���ve never been afraid. Never feared dying. I still don���t. But I am terrified of every morning when the sun rises and it���s another day in this skin. Another day when I can feel my soul screaming���

As she trails off an uncomfortable silence fills the room. She���s probably horrified at the display of emotion, and I��� Well I just don���t know what to say. Hallmark doesn���t have a card for ���I���m sorry your life just went to hell in gasoline drawers. Thinking of you!��� Yeah. Words are pretty much inadequate. Really there���s only one thing I can give her...

Me: Your secret���s safe with me. I won���t tell anyone.

Sin��ad: (her eyes narrowing) A chronicler? Not telling a story?

Me: (shaking my head) Not this one. It���s yours to tell.

There���s a slight softening on her face that I would have never thought I���d see on one of these Black Angels.

Sin��ad: (bows her head) Thank you then.

Me: No problem. I���m going to, uh, y���know, go. Leave you to your (I do a finger crinkle at her snack buffet and television marathon) whatever.

I turn around to leave, but damn��� I just have to ask. I have to!

Me: One thing. (she arches an eyebrow) Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? (My eyes widen as she slowly reaches for the sword behind her back) Gotcha. Nunya, right? Nunya bizness. Okay. See you, um, well. Yeah. See you.

I rush out of the room and the house as quick as my boots can slap the floor. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I need a drink.Buy Bitten by Ecstasy here!

Dark Judgment, Book Two

A brutal attack left Bastien Sarris for dead. But a chance encounter with a mysterious female drags him back from the brink of death���and transforms the hippogryph healer into a monster he doesn���t recognize. Now a terrible hunger consumes him���one that is becoming impossible to satisfy. Desperate for a cure, he hunts the cruxim who cursed him to a hellish existence. But the petite warrior ignites a fierce desire for her body that overwhelms the sweet call of blood.

For three hundred years Sin��ad lived and hunted as a cruxim���a winged vampire hunter. But one sacrificial act stripped her immortality, leaving her human, vulnerable and unprepared for the reappearance of Bastien in her life. The hippogryph is harder and colder than she remembers���and he triggers an onslaught of need within her that is as powerful as it is unfamiliar. She craves his kiss, his touch. Yet even as she surrenders to this newfound passion, she faces a crucial decision���betray the man she���s come to love and regain her immortality save Bastien and condemn herself to a human life and death.

Oh Jesus.If I had the sense God gave a gnat, I wouldn’t be approaching this dark house in an isolated section of Dublin, Ireland by myself…at night…armed with nothing but an Ipad and a recorder. Not that a gun or sword—or hell, a freakin’ nuclear bomb—could protect me from what waits on the other side of this door. Let’s face it. If the creature I’m here to see is in a bad mood, I’m screwed.And soooo not in a good way.One more knock on the door. Just one more, than story or no story, I’m outta here…Day-aamn.A petite, slim female with long, dark hair stands motionless inside her open doorway. Eyes the color of brilliant lightning stare at me, unblinking. Measuring. As if determining which of my body parts she should cleave off first.Sinéad, the cruxim—the Black Angel—who hunts  in the territory of Dublin for vampires, the cruxim’s mortal, or rather immortal, enemies.And the person—using that term veeery loosely—I’m here to interview.Sinéad: (crossing her arms) Well aren’t you brave?Me: Umm…excuse me?Sinéad: Just showing up here… And assuming I won’t kill you on sight.Me: Er, uh…wow. I think that’s against the rules…isn’t it? I’m human. You protect me, not slice ‘n dice me.Sinéad: (shakes her head) You chroniclers. You totally miss the meaning behind “secret race”. And for the record, I don’t protect you. I hunt and execute vampires who just happen to find you a tasty snack. Let’s face it, if they decided to become vegetarians tomorrow, there would be a surplus in crops and you’d be on your own.Niiiiice. I would respond, but as she shuts the door and turns around, the sight of the scabbard strapped across her back with the hilt of a silver gladius jutting out steals my voice. Nervously, I circle my throat with my hand and heave a silent sigh of relief. Whew. Still intact.Me: (clearing my throat) Duncan MacLeod has a watcher, you have me.Sinéad: (snorts) Turn off your fear, chronicler. The stink of it is offensive. I haven’t killed you…“Yet” hangs in the room like a string of gaudy Christmas lights in mid-February. I swallow—hard—and try to summon a smile and hide my fear. Snicker. Riiiight. I’d forgotten the female is an empath as well as a fierce warr—Me: (gasp) What the hell?Sinéad: (whirling around in a crouch, her hand reaching behind her head) What? What?Me: (horrified, pointing to the table in the living room) Potato chips. Cereal? What the hell? You drink vampire blood not, not…snacks! And what’s that on television? Television? Since when did you start watching—what is that? Twilight?Sinéad: (slowly straightening and grumbling something totally unintelligible) Mimeumingow.Me: What did you just say?Sinéad: (whirling around with a snarl) I said, I’m human now. All I do is sit on the couch, eat and watch television. And cry at those damn Hallmark commercials.Maybe my face says all the WTF racing through my head because she huffs out a breath and shoves a hand over her head. Another shock. On any other woman the gesture would be frustration, but cruxim don’t do frustration. They’re emotionless. They don’t do…anything.Sinéad: Stop moving your mouth up and down like a feckingfish. Shite.Fecking? Shite? Fu—Ohhh. The Irish accent through me off for a bit… Then the import of all she’s confessed rolls over me like that first wave of 4 am Black Friday shoppers at Walmart.Me: Good. God. You’re, uh…I mean, what happened?Sinéad: (sigh) A wounded hippogryph male. Blood. The only kind act I’ve ever done in my life and now I’m…this. Humans are right. No good deed goes unpunished. Now I’m a damn walking meat suit.God. I feel so sorry for her. So sorry I don’t even take offense at being called a “walking meat suit”. I probably will be later, but not now.Me: You should be out hunting. But obviously…Sinéad: (viciously rubs the heels of her palms over her eyes. I can’t help but wince) All I’ve known for three hundred years is fighting, killing…blood. Now I’m in an unfamiliar body, with out-of-control emotions and an appetite for flat, deep fried potatoes. I’m so. Damn. Lost.Me: (whispering) Are you scared?Sinéad: (drops her arms and stares at me) I’ve never been afraid. Never feared dying. I still don’t. But I am terrified of every morning when the sun rises and it’s another day in this skin. Another day when I can feel my soul screaming…As she trails off an uncomfortable silence fills the room. She’s probably horrified at the display of emotion, and I… Well I just don’t know what to say. Hallmark doesn’t have a card for “I’m sorry your life just went to hell in gasoline drawers. Thinking of you!” Yeah. Words are pretty much inadequate. Really there’s only one thing I can give her...Me: Your secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell anyone.Sinéad: (her eyes narrowing) A chronicler? Not telling a story?Me: (shaking my head) Not this one. It’s yours to tell.There’s a slight softening on her face that I would have never thought I’d see on one of these Black Angels.Sinéad: (bows her head) Thank you then.Me: No problem. I’m going to, uh, y’know, go. Leave you to your (I do a finger crinkle at her snack buffet and television marathon) whatever.I turn around to leave, but damn… I just have to ask. I have to!Me: One thing. (she arches an eyebrow) Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? (My eyes widen as she slowly reaches for the sword behind her back) Gotcha. Nunya, right? Nunya bizness. Okay. See you, um, well. Yeah. See you.I rush out of the room and the house as quick as my boots can slap the floor. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. I need a drink.Buy Bitten by Ecstasy here!

Dark Judgment, Book Two A brutal attack left Bastien Sarris for dead. But a chance encounter with a mysterious female drags him back from the brink of death—and transforms the hippogryph healer into a monster he doesn’t recognize. Now a terrible hunger consumes him—one that is becoming impossible to satisfy. Desperate for a cure, he hunts the cruxim who cursed him to a hellish existence. But the petite warrior ignites a fierce desire for her body that overwhelms the sweet call of blood.
For three hundred years Sinéad lived and hunted as a cruxim—a winged vampire hunter. But one sacrificial act stripped her immortality, leaving her human, vulnerable and unprepared for the reappearance of Bastien in her life. The hippogryph is harder and colder than she remembers…and he triggers an onslaught of need within her that is as powerful as it is unfamiliar. She craves his kiss, his touch. Yet even as she surrenders to this newfound passion, she faces a crucial decision—betray the man she’s come to love and regain her immortality save Bastien and condemn herself to a human life and death.

Sigh.

Yeah, that’s what I do when I think about the men of Ignite, Entangled’s suspense line. Hot. Explosive. Dangerous but, whew boy, do they keep you warm…burning up…like feverish…Yeah...Riiight. Focus.Gabriel Devlin, the hero of my Entangled Ignite book Secrets and Sins: Gabriel, embodies those qualities…and then some! When the book opens, Gabriel is volatile, combustible. He’s teeters on the edge because of the tragic loss of his wife and son two years earlier. He vacillates between grief, anger, and reluctant acceptance. And then throw in the growing, resented desire he’s feeling for his best friend, Leah Bannon…yeah, it’s a situation firmly set on 10…9…8…7…6…While plotting Gabriel and visualizing who my hero reminded me of, one man immediately came to mind. You know that guy on—okay, you knew it wasn't going to be that easy!Here is my inspiration for Gabriel:  I can hear you now: His back. Then a whispered aside to the person next to you: This chick is loose! Is she serious?Yes! Look at his back. Now get past the total hotness of the cut muscles. Notice the scars and the tattoo. The mystery man who inspired Gabriel wears his scars on his skin, and my hero wears his on his soul and heart. Both men have faced torture and survived to tell the tale. And also, the tattoo? Aside from its total hotness, the tattoo states he’s not afraid of commitment.Do you know who he is yet?Shh! Don't tell but one last cheating pic: Okay, no more! You’ll drag no more info out of me! Not even if you threatened to pry my fingernails off. Or bust my knee caps…or make me sit through a 24 hour marathon of Mariah Carey’s Glitter. Now all week from August 5th to the 8th Ignite authors Maya Blake, Kay David, Eve Devon, Stephanie Feagan, Joya Fields, Elle James, and Cathy Perkins will also be posting body part pics  and dropping clues to the mystery men who inspired their heroes. More man flesh and dangerous, sexy heroes!!Here’s the line-up:
Monday: Kay David and Stephanie Feagan
Tuesday: Joya Fields and Maya Blake
Wednesday: Cathy Perkins and Me!
Thursday: Elle James and Eve DevonCome give us your answers or best guesses at The Mystery Men of Ignite…Revealed! Facebook event on Thursday, August 8th from 7 to 9 pm! We're dropping more hints, having tons of laughs and giving away prizes, including a special journal to record your own secrets and sins in from moi and a $100 Amazon Gift Card!Make sure you visit these awesome authors all four days to pick up clues to their mystery heroes to win more prizes! Don't forget to join us on Thursday! See you there!!